Breast Pad

ABSTRACT

An object of the present invention is to provide a breast pad which avoids hard feelings caused by thermal deformations and heat treatments. In considering this, the breast pad of the present invention has a maim body formed by laminating and fixing together a liquid-absorbing member  12 , a waterproof member  11  disposed at an outside of the liquid-absorbing member and a surface member  13  disposed on a surface of the liquid-absorbing member opposite to a surface on which the waterproof member is disposed. The main body further includes elastic members  17, 17  each disposed on a respective side edge portion of the main body, and side edges  13   a  of the surface members to be disposed at a user&#39;s skin side are folded so as to embrace side edges of the liquid-absorbing member therein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an improved breast pad for anursing mother which is to be placed between underwear such as abrassiere and a breast.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

[0002] The type of breast pad which has been conventionally used isshown in FIG. 8. In this drawing, each of the breast pads 1, which is inan approximately circular dome shape, is placed in each cup 3 of abrassiere 2.

[0003] The breast pad 1, as shown in a front view in FIG. 9 and in aside view in FIG. 10, is of a circular dome shape and is comprised of aplurality of flexible members laminated in the thickness direction. Indetail, the breast pad 1 is made by laminating a surface member disposedon an inner surface which directly touches a user's skin, an absorbentmember and a waterproof member for preventing fluid from leaking fromthe absorbent member to clothing.

[0004] An adhesive member 4 is formed at a predetermined position on thesurface of the waterproof member. As shown in FIG. 8, the adhesivemember 4 is adhered to an inner surface of the cup 3 of the brassiere 2to fix the breast pad. In this manner, these breast pads 1 are preventedfrom slipping off the underwear.

[0005] In the meantime, the breast pad 1 is formed into a dome shape asmentioned above so as to closely cover a breast of a user(not shown).

[0006] In order to manufacture the breast pad 1 of such a shape, amethod shown in FIG. 11 has been conventionally employed.

[0007] As shown in FIG. 11, members constituting the main body of thebreast pad 1 are laminated as explained above, and then placed onto afemale die 5 having a bowl-shaped inner surface. Thereafter, a male die6 having a convex dome shape as shown in FIG. 11 is lowered to press themembers while heating the members by the male die 6 and/or female die 5.

[0008] In this manner, the heated main body of the breast pad 1 isformed into a dome shape.

[0009] Since it is necessary to deform the members into a dome shapewith heat in the manufacturing process, the waterproof member of thebreast pad 1, for example, is made of a heat-deformable materials suchas a polyethylene laminate sheet.

[0010] Consequently, the breast pad 1 as a final product has relativelyhard feeling after the heat deformation, and is not necessarilycomfortable as a final product for directly touching a user's skin.

[0011] In some breast pads 1, various considerations are taken such asthe surface member (to be directly fitted to a user's skin) is softenedand a special processing is applied to the sealed portion between thesurface member and the waterproof member, so as not to cause anunpleasant feeling via the peripheral edge of the round pad. However, incases where the whole waterproof member is thermally deformed, such apartial improvement did not help to avoid the hard feeling of theproduct. Accordingly, it was difficult to obtain a conformable product.

[0012] In addition, even if the main body of the breast pad 1 is formedto have a dome-shape by the heat deformation process, the main body ispoor in shape-retaining ability, resulting in a flat shape duringwearing. This in turn causes the shape of the breast pad to beinconsistent with the front shape of the user's breast, deterioratingthe fitting of the breast pad, which causes the slipping of the breastpad. A resulting drawback is that breast milk is spilled without beingabsorbed thus soiling the user's clothing.

[0013] The present invention is proposed to solve the aforementionedproblems. The first object thereof is to provide a breast pad which canbe formed to have a dome-shape and is excellent in shape-retainingperformance.

[0014] In addition, the second object of the present invention is toprovide a dome-shaped breast pad not formed by a heat treatment process,whereby hard feelings can be avoided due to heat deformation and/or heattreating materials.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The first object of the present invention according to claim 1can be attained by a breast pad having a main body formed by laminatinga waterproof member on an outside of a liquid-absorbing member,characterized in that the main body is provided with elastic memberseach disposed at a respective side edge portion of the main body andconcave grooves each provided inside each of the elastic members andextended in an expansion direction of each of the elastic members.

[0016] According the structure of the claim 1, since the elastic membersare disposed at the side edge portions of the main body, the length ofthe peripheral edge portion of the main body provided with the elasticmember becomes shorter because the peripheral edge portion is drawntogether in the direction of the elastic member. This causes the centralportion of the main body to be protruded in one direction, resulting ina dome-shape corresponding to the front shape of a user's breast.

[0017] In particular, concave grooves are each provided inside theelastic members so as to extend in an expansion direction of each of theelastic members, so that the peripheral edge portion of the main body isfolded at a folding potion where the concave groove is disposed.Consequently, the main body becomes a more perfect three-dimensionaldome shape, and has a superior shape-retaining ability.

[0018] Accordingly, a breast pad fitting a breast shape can be producedwithout heat treatment.

[0019] The shape of the main body which becomes dome-shaped by providingan elastic member at the peripheral edge portion thereof, is typicallyround in shape. However, the shape is not limited to a perfectly roundshape, and may be of any shape in which the vertical-horizontal lengthratio is not large. For example, the main body may be a square shape, atrapezoid shape or the like having rounded corners and have relativelylarge (long) elastic members disposed at each peripheral side by whichthe length of each peripheral side becomes shorter due to the elasticityof the elastic members, thus becoming dome-shaped.

[0020] The aforementioned term, “dome shape” or “dome shaped,” denotesany shape having a convex cross-section and a hemispherical shape whencut so as to cross the center thereof.

[0021] According to the present invention of claim 2 depending fromclaim 1, the concave groove curves along the expansion direction of theelastic member.

[0022] With this structure, since a folding portion is curved, thefolding portion becomes in a curved and bent state which is moresuitable for forming a dome-shaped breast pad.

[0023] According to the present invention of claim 3, the concave groovecurves so as to protrude toward a central portion of the main body alongthe expansion direction of the elastic member.

[0024] With the structure of claim 3, an ideal conical dome shape can beproduced in which a sectional area decreases toward the central portion.

[0025] According to the present invention of claim 4 depending from anyone of claims 1 to 3, a surface member which comes in contact with auser's skin is disposed on a surface of the liquid-absorbing memberopposite to a surface on which the waterproof member is disposed, and acushion member is disposed between the liquid-absorbing member and thesurface member.

[0026] With the structure of claim 4, since the surface member comes incontact with a user's breast because of the action of the cushionmember, the breast pad is hard to slip out of its location.

[0027] According to the present invention of claim 5 depending fromclaim 4, a surface member is provided with the concave grooves at bothside portions of a nipple-contact portion of the surface member.

[0028] With the structure of claim 5, since the surface member and theliquid-absorbing member disposed under the surface member are fixed toeach other at the grooves, members disposed in the main body are hard tobe displaced. Furthermore, since both the side portions of the nipplecontact portion are dented by the grooves, a space for accommodating anipple is formed and the nipple contact portion rises to come in softcontact with the nipple.

[0029] The second object of the present invention can be attained byclaim 6. According to the present invention of claim 6, a breast pad hasa main body formed by laminating and adhering together aliquid-absorbing member, a waterproof member disposed at an outside ofthe liquid-absorbing member and a surface member disposed on a surfaceof the liquid-absorbing member opposite to a surface on which thewaterproof member is disposed.

[0030] With the structure of claim 6, since the elastic members aredisposed at each respective side edge portion of the main body, theperipheral edge portion of the main body becomes shorter at the portionwhere the elastic members are disposed by being pulled in a direction inwhich the elastic members are disposed. Accordingly, the central portionof the main body protrudes toward one side, so that the main bodybecomes dome-shaped so as to accommodate a front shape of a breast.

[0031] Accordingly, the breast pad fitting a breast can be producedwithout thermally deforming the materials. In this manner, no materialshardened by heat are produced, so that unpleasant feelings caused by thecontact of the user's skin with hardened materials, can be avoided.

[0032] Here, the main body of the breast pad can be formed to have adome-shape by the action of elastic members without heat deformation.However, wrinkles will be produced when the elastic members are shrunkif there are materials fixed to the elastic members. In this case, thehardened wrinkles may cause unpleasant feelings when they contact theuser's skin.

[0033] Accordingly, in the structure of the above-mentioned claim 6, theside edge portions of the surface member to be disposed at a user's skinside are folded so as to embrace side edges of the liquid-absorbingmember therein. With this structure, since the side edges of the breastpad are covered by relatively soft materials, unpleasant feelings willnot be given to a user even if the relatively soft materials come incontact with a user's skin.

[0034] In this case, the surface member may embrace only the side edgeportion of the liquid-absorbing member, alternatively may embrace theside edge portion of the liquid-absorbing member together with theelastic member.

[0035] According to the present invention of claim 7 depending fromclaim 6, the edge portion of the surface member is folded so as toembrace the liquid-absorbing member and the elastic member therein at aside edge of the main body.

[0036] With the structure of claim 7, since the surface member embracesthe elastic member as well as the liquid-absorbing member in the regionwhere the elastic member is disposed on the edge of the main body, thefunction according to claim 6 can be more fulfilled.

[0037] According to the present invention of claim 8 depending fromclaims 6 or 7, the elastic member is fixed to the liquid-absorbingmember and the folded surface member, or to the folded surface memberand the waterproof member, in a state in which the elastic member issandwiched therebetween at a side edge of the main body, and bothlongitudinal opposite ends of the elastic member have portions not fixedto the main body.

[0038] With the structure of claim 8, since the edge of the long elasticmember has a free portion not fixed to the main body of a breast pad,especially the peripheral edge portion of the main body, the peripheraledge portion is not pulled inwardly. This prevents an inward bending ofthe peripheral edge portion of the main body. Accordingly, such aninwardly bent portion does not give uncomfortable stimulation to a userbecause it does not come into contact with a user's skin.

[0039] According to the present invention of claim 9 depending fromclaim 8, the liquid-absorbing member is formed to be smaller than thewaterproof member and the surface member at a region in which theopposite end'portions of the elastic member are disposed, and oppositeend portions of the elastic member have portions not fixed to thewaterproof member and the surface member.

[0040] With the structure of claim 9, in addition to the function ofclaim 8, the liquid-absorbing member is smaller than the waterproofmember, and therefore, the material cost can be reduced.

[0041] According to the invention of claim 10 depending from any one ofclaims 6 to 9, at an approximately expanding center of the elasticmember on side edge portions of the main body, the waterproof member hasan area not fixed to the liquid-absorbing member and/or the surfacemember.

[0042] With the structure of claim 10, at the portion where the elasticmember is disposed, the waterproof member can avoid being turnedinwardly due to being pulled by the elastic member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043]FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of abreast pad according to the present invention.

[0044]FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view with the inner side of the breastpad facing up.

[0045]FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the lineD-D of FIG. 2.

[0046]FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the lineE-E of FIG. 2.

[0047]FIG. 5 is an enlarged explanatory view of the area F in FIG. 2.

[0048]FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a comparative structuralembodiment of the structure of FIG. 5.

[0049]FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing thecondition of a user wearing the breast pad.

[0050]FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of a conventional breast pad.

[0051]FIG. 9 is a front view of the breast pad of FIG. 5.

[0052]FIG. 10 is a side view of the breast pad of FIG. 5.

[0053]FIG. 11 is a schematic explanatory view showing the method ofmanufacturing the breast pad of FIG. 5.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0054] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be describedin detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0055] Although the preferred embodiments described below includestechnically preferable limitations, the scope of the present inventionis not limited to these embodiments so long as there is no specificdescription such that the present invention is limited to it.

[0056]FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view seen from the inner side ofthe breast pad according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG.2 is a plan view with the inner side of the breast pad facing up. FIG. 3is a cross-sectional view taken along the line D-D of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 isa cross-sectional view taken along the line E-E of FIG. 2.

[0057] The structure of the present embodiment will now be explainedwith reference to these drawings.

[0058] A waterproof member 11 is disposed on the outer surface(equivalent to the lower side of FIG. 1) of the breast pad 10, and asurface member 13 is disposed on the inner surface (equivalent to theupper side of FIG. 1) to be contacted to a user's skin when wearing thebreast pad 10.

[0059] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a liquid-absorbing member 12 isdisposed between the surface member 13 and the waterproof member 11, anda cushion member 14 is disposed between the liquid-absorbing member 12and the surface member 13.

[0060] The external configuration of the waterproof member 11 that givesshape to the main body 18 of the breast pad 10 and the surface member13, is approximately round, and the sides thereof are formed to bestraight.

[0061] The above-mentioned waterproof member 11 is a back-sheet and isfixed to the upper side member shown in FIG. 3 by applying adhesive on aportion of an adhering part 11 a. Although the waterproof member 11 doesnot allow water to pass through, it is preferably made of materialswhich allow vapor to pass through to thereby prevent getting musty andhas a certain level of flexibility. The waterproof member 11 iscomprised of softer materials compared with conventional thermallydeformable waterproof members. Examples of such materials includepolyethylene film, polyethylene lamination nonwoven fabric, nonwovenfabric produced by a method of meltblow and the like.

[0062] The above-mentioned surface member 13 is a member to be contacteddirectly to the user's skin. Accordingly, such materials should beselected from materials allowing fluid such as breast milk to passthrough and giving pleasant feelings. That is, since the surface member13 is to be directly contacted to the user's skin, the materials of thesurface member should be selected from appropriate materials havingpleasant feelings to a skin. Examples of such materials include adry-mesh sheet (mesh sheet formed of the polyethylene and the like) anda nonwoven fabric. The surface member 13 is disposed so as to involvethe liquid-absorbing member 12 mentioned below, and the elastic member17 by holding the extended side edges 13 a, preferably the extendedwhole peripheral edge, toward the front side.

[0063] In this manner, even if the elastic member 17 produces wrinklesfacing inwardly as shown in FIG. 1 by the elasticity and they come incontact with a user's skin, they do not give unpleasant feelings orstimulus because they are covered by soft materials.

[0064] As will be understood from the comparison of FIGS. 3 and 4,non-bonding portions 31, 31 in which the waterproof member 11 is notbonded to the side edge potions 13 a, 13 a of the folded surface member13 is provided at the central portion (around the line D-D in FIG. 2) ofthe main body 18. Because of this, when the elastic member 17 mentionedbelow, acts and the edges thereof are pulled toward a user's skin, thewaterproof member 11 does not follow them. In this manner, unpleasantfeelings can be avoided even when the waterproof member 11 comprised ofharder materials as compared to the surface member 13 comes in contactwith a user's skin.

[0065] The liquid-absorbing member 12 is made of materials having liquidabsorbing ability, for example, a pulp-fabric, a pulp-lamination or asheet member and the like. It is preferable that the liquid-absorbingmember 12 is a mixture of pulp materials in which grain-like polymersare mixed, wherein the grain-like polymers are superior inliquid-absorbing ability and can retain liquid by semi-congealing orcongealing.

[0066] As the materials, for example, absorbent copolymer, e.g.,polyacrylic acid-base copolymer, hydrolysis of starch-acrylonitrilegraft copolymer, starch-acryl acid graft copolymer, polyvinylalcohol-acrylate copolymer, carboxymethyl cellulose and the like, isappropriately used.

[0067] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the liquid-absorbing member 12, isembraced by a tissue 15 so as not to allow materials such as grain-likepolymer to be leaked.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 3, the edge 15 a of the tissue 15 surroundingthe liquid-absorbing member 12 is fixed at the portion apart from thecenter of the main body 18.

[0069] The cushion member 14 disposed between the liquid-absorbingmember 12 and the surface member 13 is formed of, for example, ahydrophilic nonwoven fabric having a certain thickness to have a softswelling.

[0070] In this embodiment, the cushion member 14 is formed to be smallerthan the main body 18 and placed only in the center of the main body 18.

[0071] Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the surface member 13 isprovided with concave grooves 16 formed on both sides of the nipplecontact region C along the direction of an arrow A, or the longitudinaldirection of the elastic member 17.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 3, the concave groove 16 is formed by anembossing method and the like, pressing while applying a prescribedpressure onto the main surface of the surface member 13, preferablypressing into the cushion member 14. Consequently, since the surfacemember 13 and the cushion member 14, disposed under the surface member,are fixed at this groove, the surface member 16, the liquid-absorbingmember 12 and the cushion member 14, which constitute the main body 18,are not easily displaced from each other.

[0073] Each concave groove 16 may have uneven portions formed bychanging the depth to the main body 18. Thus, an embossed uneven groovealong the expansion direction of the groove is formed, resulting in anenhanced bonding strength, which in turn increases the shape-holdingstrength of the main body 18.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 3, each concave groove 16 acts as a foldingportion so as to bend the peripheral edge of the main body 18 in thedirection of an arrow B. This forms a three-dimensional dome-shape withthe effect of an elastic member 17 which will be mentioned later.

[0075] In this manner, the whole central portion C of the main body 18becomes a concave portion forming a nipple accommodating space, whichprevents the user's nipple from being unnecessary pressured.Additionally, the central portion of the aforementioned region Cslightly swells in the thickness direction, resulting in a soft fit tothe nipple.

[0076] In the cross-sectional view in FIGS. 3 and 4, the thickness ofthe breast pad is shown exaggeratedly such that it appears considerablythicker than that of a real breast pad for an easy explanation of theinner structure.

[0077] Additionally, in the breast pad 10, the elastic members 17, 17are disposed on both sides of the main body 18. In this embodiment,these elastic member 17 are disposed approximately in parallel along avertical direction (see FIG. 1 or FIG. 2) of the product and have aspecific length. In this case, as shown in FIG. 3, each elastic member17 is fixed to the liquid-absorbing member 12 at an adhering portion 17a via the tissue 15, and further at the adhering portion 17 b in a statethat the periphery is embraced by at least side end portion 13 a,preferably by the whole periphery.

[0078] The materials affected by the elastic action of the elasticmember 17 are comprised of the soft surface member 13 or theliquid-absorbing member 12. This elastic action does not affect thewaterproof member 11 because the elastic member 17 is not fixed to thewaterproof member 11.

[0079] Accordingly, the waterproof member 11, giving hard feelings ascompared to the surface member 13, does not produce wrinkles at theperipheral edge portions 18 a, 18 a of the main body 18 where bothelastic members 17 are disposed. Thus, wrinkles'are produced in a memberother than the waterproof material 11, especially in the surface member13 made of nonwoven fabric or the like.

[0080] Consequently, as will be mentioned later, uncomfortable feelingswill not be given to the user even in cases where hard wrinkles comes incontact with the sensitive skin around the user's nipple.

[0081] In order to obtain approximately the same effects as mentionedabove, the side edge portion 13 a of the surface member may embrace notboth the liquid-absorbing member 12 and the elastic material 17 but onlythe liquid-absorbing member 12. In this case, by disposing the elasticmember 17 inwardly from the edge, the surface member 13 and theliquid-absorbing member 12 are disposed between the user's skin andwrinkles of the waterproof member 11, so that the user's skin is notdirectly contacted by the surface member 13 and the liquid-absorbingmember 12.

[0082] As for the above-mentioned elastic member 17, various forms ofmembers/materials can be used so long as it is made of elastic materialswhich can expand and contract in its longitudinal direction and canshorten the edge portion of the main body 18 where the elastic member isdisposed.

[0083] In this embodiment, the elastic member 17, 17, being flexible inone direction and made of soft materials, is preferably used. In otherwords, the elastic member 17 may be made of, for example, a long naturalrubber member, an expandable-and-contractible film, an operon tape, acombination thereof or a mixture/combination of a regular fabric and anexpandable-and-contractible fabric.

[0084] Due to the function of the elastic member 17, since a part of thecircumference of the approximately round-shaped main body 18 iselastically pulled, the entire circumference thereof becomes shorter.This causes the central portion of the main body 18 to protrude towardone side, resulting in a dome-shaped or a cup-shaped main body 18.

[0085] The elastic member 17 is preferably disposed below (lower side inFIG. 3) the cushion member 14 because of the following reasons. Even ifthe surface member 13 is disposed between the cushion member 14 and theelastic member 17, disposing the elastic member 17 near a user's skindeteriorates comfortable and pleasant feelings.

[0086] Furthermore, if the elastic member 17 is disposed too close tothe surface member 13, the function for properly shortening the edge ofthe peripheral edge portion due to the elasticity of the elastic member17 cannot sometimes be obtained. Accordingly, as mentioned above, theelastic member 17 is preferably fixed to the liquid-absorbing member 12at the peripheral edge of the main body 18.

[0087] Regarding the tissue 15 embracing the liquid-absorbing member 12as mentioned above, the joint portion of the tissue 15 a should not belocated at the center of liquid-absorbing member 12, but be located at aportion closer to the edge thereof, for example, at the portion shown inthe drawings. Thus, the joint portion does not come into contact withthe user's nipple, thereby preventing uncomfortable feelings on theuser's sensitive nipple. Furthermore, since the joint portion 15 a isnot located at the nipple-contact portion, the adhesive used on thejoint portion 15 a will not prevent the absorption of the mother's milkcoming from a nipple.

[0088] The elastic function of the elastic member 17 acts on theperipheral edge portion of the main body 18 and the main body 18 is bentalong the above-mentioned concave groove 16. This causes the main body18 to be a three-dimensional dome shape with the central region Cprotruding.

[0089] The concave groove 16 is preferably formed in a curved shape,which results in a more dome-like shape of the main body 18.

[0090] For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the central portion 16 a of eachrespective concave groove 16 is formed to be a curved shape protrudingtoward the central portion of the main body 18, which forms anapproximate ideal conical dome shape with the region C whose sectionalarea decreasing toward the central portion.

[0091] Alternatively, the curved shape of each respective concave groove16 may, in contrast to FIG. 2, protrude toward the outer periphery ofthe main body 18. In this case, the dome shape formed by the curvedportion of the concave groove 16 will be a larger-sized dome shape withthe inward region C having a larger area (capacity).

[0092] The surface of the waterproof member 11 of the breast pad 10 maybe provided with an adhering portion as shown in FIG. 9.

[0093] In the breast pad 10 according to the present embodiment, theupper half portion and the lower half portion are symmetrically formedas shown in FIG. 2, and the elastic member 17 is not disposed at theupper or lower side of the main body 18. In other words, the elasticmember 17 is disposed along the respective lateral edges of the mainbody 18, and the upper and lower edges thereof extend beyond the areawhere the liquid-absorbing member 12 is disposed, which will beunderstood from the comparison of FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0094] Since four corners of the breast pad 10 in the present embodimentare the same in structure, the structure will be explained withreference to FIG. 5, the enlarged area surrounded by the referenceletter F in FIG. 2.

[0095] The breast pad 10 has an approximately round shaped main body 18and is provided with elastic members 17 at both sides of the main body18, and both sides thereof are formed to be straight. In this manner, asshown in FIG. 5, a corner 32 is formed at an upper portion where theround peripheral edge and the straight side edge cross.

[0096] In the area shown in FIG. 5, the liquid-absorbing member 12including the tissue 15 is smaller in size than both the surface member13 and the waterproof member 11. In other words, the surface member 13and the waterproof member 11 are identical in size and shape, andadhered one on another.

[0097] The upper side 15 b of the liquid-absorbing member 12 includingthe tissue 15 has approximately the same curvature as the upper edge ofthe surface member 13 and the waterproof member 11. The upper side 15 bis connected to the area 15 c curved in a direction opposite to anapproximately horizontal upper edge 15 d.

[0098] The edge 17 a that is one of the edges of the elastic member 17protrudes from the upper edge 15 d. That is, although the upper edge 17a of the elastic member 17 protrudes from the upper edge area 15 d, itis disposed inside the surface member 13 and therefor is not exposedoutside. The upper edge 17 a of the elastic member 17, except the bottomportion thereof, constitutes a free area not attached to the any memberconstituting the main body 18 of the breast pad including the surfacemember 13 and the waterproof member 11 by adhesive or the like. Thispart constitutes a free portion 17 a of the elastic member 17.

[0099] With this structure, the main body can have a free portionshowing the following effects without enlarging the main body.

[0100] The following effects will be obtained.

[0101] As understood from FIG. 6 which is shown for the purposes ofcomparison, if the upper portion 17 a of the elastic member 17 is fixedwith means such as adhesive to the surface member 13 and/or thewaterproof member 11 constituting a part of the main body 18, theelastic member 17 contracts due to the elastic function. The upperportion 17 a of the elastic member 17 functions to form a dome shape,and simultaneously to pull the side upper edges of the surface member 13and the waterproof member 11 in the direction of an arrow G.

[0102] As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, the corners 32 of the surfacemember 13 and the waterproof member 11 are turned inward. In otherwords, the corner 32 of the waterproof member 11, made of hardermaterials as compared to the surface member 13, faces toward a user'sskin. In this manner, the corner 32 contacts a user's skin, which givesuncomfortable stimulations to the user.

[0103] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, when the top 17 a of theelastic member 17 constitutes a free portion, or a non-fixed portion,the above-mentioned effect will not occur at the waterproof member 11.Therefore, the corner 32 is not turned inward, and the production ofuncomfortable stimulus can be avoided. Accordingly, the elastic member17 does not produce any uncomfortable stimulation to the user whileproperly forming a dome-shape.

[0104] Needless to say, each elastic member 17 requires an identical ora similar structure on the respective corners of the upper and loweredges of each elastic member 17.

[0105] These free areas 17 a, in a manufacturing process, are formed bydisposing the extendable elastic member and then fixing the elasticmember 17 to the liquid-absorbing member 12 including the tissue 15. Aswill be understood from the above, the edge portion 17 a of the elasticmember 17 is an excessive portion. Accordingly, it can be omitted sinceit does not contribute to the prescribed function. In this case, thearea where an edge portion 17 a does not exist, or the four corners ofthe main body 18 where the elastic member does not exist, constitutesthe free portion.

[0106] If the size of the main body 18 can be made larger than the caseof FIG. 2, the free area where the effect of the elastic member 17 doesnot reach can be formed by enlarging the area constituted only by thesurface member 13 and the waterproof member 11 and forming the fourcorners of the liquid-absorbing member 12 including the tissue 15 tohave the same configuration as that of the main body 18 without formingthe curved line as mentioned above.

[0107]FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a user wearingthe breast pad 10. The front portion of the user's breast 25 has anapproximately hemisphere-shape, such as a bowl shape, and the nipple 26is placed near the tip thereof.

[0108] On the other hand, the breast pad 10 according to the presentembodiment, as shown in the cross-sectional shape, has a dome-shapewhich can almost cover the user's breast 15 and can cover the nipple 26at the concave area C due to the functions of the above-mentionedelastic members 17 and concave grooves 16.

[0109] With this structure, the breast pad 10 is not displaced from thebreast 25 with time because the breast pad remains in its shape withoutbecoming flat, nor does the dome shape deform. By means of the concavegrooves 16, a three-dimensional dome shape can be formed whilemaintaining the dome shape more effectively as compared to the casewhere only elastic members 17 are provided.

[0110] Furthermore, since the main body 18 is folded along the concavegrooves 16 as explained in FIG. 2, the region C protrudes outwardly,enabling the nipple 26 to be placed therein, which prevents the nipplefrom being unnecessarily pressed. In this manner, the nipple 26 which issensitive during the nursing period, will not unnecessarily bestimulated and hurt.

[0111] Furthermore, since the nipple 26 can be placed softly on thesurface member 16 due to the cushion member 14 and can be held in thevicinity of the region C due to the effect of the concave grooves 16 tobe remained therein, the leaking of mother's milk resulting from thenipple 26 being displaced outside the effective absorbent area of thesurface member 13, can be avoided.

[0112] As explained above, in the present embodiment, the side edgeportion 13 a of the surface member 13 is folded inwardly so as toembrace the side edge portion of the liquid-absorbing member 12 oppositeto a user's skin. With this structure, since the edge of the breast padis covered by relatively soft materials, even if this materials areplaced on a user's skin, unpleasant feelings are not given to a user.

[0113] In other words, when the elastic member 17 contracts, thewaterproof member 11 harder than the surface member 13 does not producewrinkles at the circumference 18 a of the main body 18 where the elasticmember 17 is disposed. Wrinkles are produced by the surface member 13made of unwoven fabric or the like. In this manner, as shown FIG. 7, inthe state of wearing the breast pad, unpleasant feelings are not givento the user even if it comes in contact with the sensitive user's skin.

[0114] Furthermore, both the side edges of the main body 18 include aside edge 13 a of the folded surface member 13 and an area 31 that isnot adhered. In this manner, when the elastic member 17 contracts andthe side edge 13 a of the folded surface member 13 is pulled toward auser's skin, the edge of the waterproof member 11 will be followed andturned toward the user's skin, and does not come in contact with theuser's skin. Thereby, unpleasant feelings caused by contacting thewaterproof member harder than the surface member 13, can be avoided.

[0115] Furthermore, the upper edge 17 a of the elastic member 17 is notfixed to the surface member 13 and the water member 11. Accordingly, thecorner 32 does not turn inward, and the giving of unpleasant feelings toa user can be effectively avoided.

[0116] The invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0117] For example, several cushion members can be placed in the mainbody 18.

[0118] Additionally, the concave groove 16 can be made not on thesurface member 16 but, for instance, only on the liquid-absorbing member12 mostly constituting the thickness of the main body 18. The concavegroove 16 may be partially formed on a part of the materialsconstituting the main body 18 so long as the concave groove 16 fulfillsthe function for forming a bending portion.

[0119] Furthermore, the liquid-absorbing member 11, the surface member13 and the liquid-absorbing member 12 can be made of various kinds ofmaterials besides those of the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0120] Additionally, every member constituting the main body 18 need notnecessarily be approximately round so long as the whole shape formed bylaminating various different shaped members has an approximately roundshape. In other words, as long as the member to which the elastic memberis disposed is approximately round in shape, the member can be retainedin a dome-shape.

[0121] Furthermore, some part of each constructing element of eachembodiment mentioned above can be omitted, and can be voluntarilycombined.

[0122] As mentioned above, the present invention can provide a breastpad which can be formed into a three-dimensional dome shape without heattreatments, and is superior in shape-retaining ability.

[0123] Furthermore, the present invention can provide a breast pad whichcan be formed into a dome-shape without heat treatments, and can avoidhard feelings due to thermal deformations or heat treatments.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0124] Thus, the present invention can be applied as an appropriatebreast pad to be placed between underwear such as a brassiere and abreast.

1 (canceled).
 2. The breast pad as recited in claim 11, wherein saidconcave grooves curve along said expansion direction of said elasticmembers.
 3. The breast pad as recited in claim 2, wherein said concavegrooves curve so as to protrude toward a central portion of said mainbody along said expansion direction of said elastic members.
 4. Thebreast pad as recited in any of claims 11, 2 and 3, further comprising asurface member which comes in contact with a user's skin, said surfacemember being inwardly disposed on said liquid-absorbing member and acushion member disposed between said liquid-absorbing member and saidsurface member.
 5. The breast pad as recited in claim 4, wherein saidsurface member is provided with said concave grooves around anipple-contact portion of said surface member. 6 (canceled).
 7. Thebreast pad recited in claim 12, wherein said surface member is foldedoutwardly at the edge portion so as to embrace said liquid-absorbingmember and said elastic members.
 8. The breast pad recited in claim 12or 7, wherein said elastic members is fixed between saidliquid-absorbing member and said folded surface member, or between saidfolded surface member and said waterproof member, in a state in whichsaid elastic members are sandwiched therebetween at the edge portion ofsaid main body, and wherein the elastic members are not fixed to themain body at longitudinal ends thereof.
 9. The breast pad recited inclaim 8, wherein said liquid-absorbing member is formed to be smallerthan said waterproof member and said surface member at a region in whichsaid elastic members are terminated, and wherein said elastic membersare not fixed to the waterproof member and the surface member at theregion.
 10. The breast pad recited in claim 12 or 7, wherein,approximately at an expanding center of said elastic member on side edgeportion of said main body, said waterproof member has an area not fixedto said liquid-absorbing member and/or said surface member.
 11. A breastpad comprising: a main body having an edge portion including a firstedge and a second edge opposed to the first edge, the main bodycomprising: a liquid-absorbing member; a waterproof member laminatedoutwardly on the liquid-absorbing member; a first elastic memberdisposed at the first edge; a second elastic member disposed at thesecond edge, and a pair of concave grooves provided between the firstelastic member and the second elastic member, extending in an expansiondirection of the first elastic member and the second elastic member. 12.A breast pad comprising: a main body having an edge portion including afirst edge and a second edge opposed to the first edge, the main bodycomprising: a surface member, wherein the surface member contacts auser's skin; a liquid-absorbing member laminated outwardly on thesurface member; a waterproof member laminated outwardly on theliquid-absorbing member; a first elastic member disposed at the firstedge; and a second elastic member disposed at the second edge, whereinthe surface member is extended to cover the liquid-absorbing member atthe edge portion.